Vincenzo Surdo, a familiar face at school crossings in Everett and Somerville for many years, has died. He was born in Dattilo, Sicily on February 14, 1931, the son of Vito Surdo and Giovanna Tosto.
He served in the Italian Army before bringing his family to the United States in 1973. Here he worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for more than 20 years until he retired, and afterward took the crossing guard job that made him known to a generation of schoolchildren and their parents.
His wife of more than 50 years, Laura Surdo, died before him. He leaves two daughters and a son: Giovanna Angelo (Francesco) of Malden, Vincenza Talluto (Salvatore Jr.) of Revere and Vito Surdo (Sherri) of Saugus. His grandchildren are Michelle Jones (J.J.) of Revere, Nancy Resendes (Helder) of Malden, Laura Baker (Ricki) of Milton, Melchiore Angelo (Amanda) of Billerica and Alie Surdo of Saugus. There are sixteen great-grandchildren, with a great-great-grandchild expected. His sister Francesca Surdo still lives in Dattilo. His siblings Anna, Leonardo, Natale, Leonarda, Maria and Giuseppina died before him.
Visiting hours are Tuesday, October 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Salvatore Rocco and Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett. A Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, October 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 38 Oakes Street, Everett, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, 175 Broadway, Malden.
Compiled from information published by Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett. Photograph courtesy of the family via Rocco Funeral Home. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.
